Drug Name

Xeloda (Capecitabine)

Drug Uses

Xeloda is used for treating women with breast cancer that is resistant to other more commonly-used drugs. It as well as is used following surgery for colorectal cancer incase the cancer has spread to lymph nodes (Dukes' C stage).

How Taken

Xeloda generally is used twice daily, with the two doses approximately 12 hours apart. Tablets should be used 30 minutes after eating. Xeloda usually is prescribed in repeated cycles of 3-weeks, with the drug used for two consecutive weeks followed by a week without drug. Some patients may need lower or delayed dosing. As always, the physician's dosing instructions should be followed.

Drug Class as well as Mechanism

Xeloda is an oral medication for treating advanced breast cancers that are resistant to combination therapy with the drugs of choice, paclitaxel (Taxol) as well as a drug from the anthracycline family of drugs, for example, doxorubicin (Adriamycin). Xeloda is converted by the body to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a drug which has been given intravenously for many years to treat various types of cancer. It is not surprising, therefore, that xeloda as well as is effective in the treatment of colorectal cancer, a type of cancer which is treated frequently with 5-FU. 5-FU inhibits the production of both DNA as well as protein by the cancerous cells that are essential for the cells to divide as well as the cancer to grow in size. Xeloda was approved by the FDA in 1998 for the treatment of breast cancer as well as in 2005 for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Missed Dose

Incase you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose as well as go back to your normal dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Storage

Tablets should be stored at room temperature, 15-30 °C (59-86 °F).

Warnings/Precautions

Keep all doctor as well as laboratory appointments while you are using this medicine. Before you possess any health examination or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. This medicine may lower your resistance to infection. Halt infection by avoiding contact with people who possess colds or other infections. Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you possess thoroughly washed your hands earliest. Check with your doctor before having immunizations (vaccinations) while you are using this medicine. This medicine has been shown to cause harm to the human fetus. Incase you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits as well as risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. It is unknown incase this medicine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Likely Side Effects

The most ordinary side effects with xeloda are diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, painful swelling of the mouth, fatigue, painful rash as well as swelling of the hands or feet, abridged pale blood cell count (which can lead to infections), abridged blood platelet counts (which can lead to bleeding), as well as anemia. About one of every three patients who receives xeloda has humorless side effects, but these side effects usually are reversible when the drug is stopped or when the dose is lowered.

More Information

Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not take this medicine for other health conditions. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children. Incase using this medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.